Road safety is a global priority. Technology has emerged as a crucial tool for reducing accidents, saving lives, and creating safer roads. With advances in artificial intelligence, sensors, and communication systems, driving has evolved significantly in recent years.
Technologies like those enabled on the Wizzie platform are revolutionizing the way road safety and driving can be measured, contributing to a safer future for all users.
Wizzie, a real-time data analytics platform designed to provide observability of networks and smart spaces, can be optimally applied in the field of road safety. It measures and prevents numerous aspects to consider on the road: accidents, traffic jams, driver distractions, health while driving, and more.
Advances:
1. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
ADAS technologies assist drivers in real time, preventing accidents and minimizing road risks. These systems include features like Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping, which are increasingly common in modern vehicles.
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): This technology uses sensors and cameras to detect a potential collision and, if the driver does not react in time, automatically activates the brakes to avoid the impact or reduce the severity of the accident. Studies show AEB can reduce rear-end collisions by more than 40%.
Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping: These systems alert drivers if the vehicle drifts out of its lane without signaling and, in some cases, automatically correct the trajectory. This technology is particularly useful for preventing accidents due to drowsiness or driver distraction.
2. Autonomous Vehicles: The Future of Safe Driving?
Autonomous driving is one of the most promising innovations for improving road safety.
Autonomous vehicles, equipped with artificial intelligence systems, radars, and LiDAR sensors, have the potential to eliminate human errors, which are responsible for approximately 90% of traffic accidents.
Level 3 and 4 Vehicles: Although still under development, Level 3 and 4 vehicles can operate completely autonomously in certain conditions. These cars can analyze their surroundings, make real-time decisions, and avoid accidents more accurately than a human.
Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Communication Platforms: This technology allows cars to communicate with each other and with road infrastructure, such as traffic lights and signs. V2X communication will help avoid collisions and optimize traffic, reducing congestion and accident risk.
3. Driver Monitoring Systems
Driver distraction is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents worldwide. To combat this problem, driver monitoring systems have been developed that use cameras and sensors to detect signs of fatigue, distraction, or drowsiness.
Attention Monitoring: Vehicle sensors analyze the driver’s eye and head position. If the system detects that the driver is not paying attention to the road or is drowsy, it issues a sound or visual warning, and some systems can even stop the vehicle in an emergency.
Alcohol and Drug Detection: Some vehicles are equipped with sensors that can detect the level of alcohol in the air exhaled by the driver. If levels exceed legal limits, the system blocks the vehicle’s ignition, preventing a person under the influence from driving.
4. V2V and V2I Technology: Vehicle-to-Vehicle and Infrastructure Communication
Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication technologies are revolutionizing how cars interact with each other and their surroundings. These systems allow vehicles to share real-time information, such as speed, position, and traffic conditions.
V2V: V2V technology enables vehicles to “talk” to each other to prevent collisions. For example, if a car brakes suddenly, it can send a signal to nearby vehicles to also slow down and avoid a crash.
V2I: Communication with infrastructure includes interaction with traffic lights, road signs, and weather stations. Vehicles can receive alerts about changes in traffic conditions, such as red lights or detours, helping to optimize driving and prevent accidents.
5. Night Vision Sensors and Cameras
Driving at night presents a higher risk due to reduced visibility. To mitigate this issue, modern vehicles are incorporating night vision technologies based on infrared sensors and thermal cameras.
Night Vision Cameras: These cameras detect the heat emitted by pedestrians, cyclists, or animals on the road, providing a clear image to the driver even in low visibility conditions. The technology can also issue alerts if it detects an object or person in the vehicle’s path.
Adaptive Headlights: These systems automatically adjust the direction and intensity of the vehicle’s headlights based on speed and road curves, improving visibility without blinding other drivers.
6. Adaptive Cruise Control Systems
Adaptive cruise control systems (ACC) are an evolution of traditional cruise control. They use radars and cameras to detect the speed and distance of vehicles ahead, automatically adjusting the car’s speed to maintain a safe distance.
Advanced ACC: Some systems not only maintain the correct distance but can also stop the vehicle entirely if they detect stopped traffic, and resume driving when traffic clears. This is especially useful on congested roads and in slow-moving traffic conditions.
7. Technologies for Pedestrians and Cyclists
Road safety affects drivers and passengers, as well as pedestrians and cyclists, who are the most vulnerable road users. Various technologies are being developed to improve their safety.
Pedestrian Detection: Pedestrian detection systems use cameras and radars to identify people on the road and either alert the driver or activate emergency braking if necessary.
Smart Crosswalks: These crosswalks are equipped with sensors that detect the presence of pedestrians and adjust traffic light timing based on the flow of people, reducing the risk of accidents.
8. Smart Infrastructure
Smart road infrastructure is a vital part of future road safety. Installing sensors on roads, bridges, and traffic lights can provide real-time information about traffic conditions and weather, helping drivers make more informed decisions.
Smart Roads: These roads are equipped with sensors that detect hazardous conditions, such as ice or water on the surface, and send alerts to nearby vehicles to reduce speed. Additionally, they can monitor traffic flow to optimize traffic signals.
“The greatest danger on the road is thinking there is none.” Technology is a powerful ally that has significantly improved road safety by introducing advances such as driver assistance systems, automatic braking, and pedestrian detection, but caution is always necessary for drivers.